Device for removing tubes from heat exchange assemblies



Nov. 11, 1947. F. M. PAxsoN DEVICE FOR REMOVING TUBES FROM HEAT EXCHANGE ASSEMBLIES Filed Feb. 7, 1944 INVENTOR. M /xo/y A from/EK Patented Nov. 11, 1947 DEVICE FOR REMOVIN G TUBES FROM HEAT EXCHANGE ASSEMBLIES Frank M. AParson, Ponca City, Okla., assigner to Continental Oil Company, Ponca City, Okla., a corporation of Delaware Application February 7, 1944, Serial No. 521,485

1 Claim.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in tube extractors.

The tubes in heat exchange equipment rapidly become worn or corroded and require frequent replacement. However, theirreplacement is a tedious procedure since the ends of the tubes fit tightly in the tube sheets and are very diflicult to remove.

The usual procedure is to cut the tubes transversely just outside of the tube sheets and then drive out each stub section of tubing with a suitable plug after the section has been weakened and loosened by manually splitting it with a gouge. However, this method is slow and tedious. Furthermore, it is ine'icient since the tube sheets are frequently damaged by the gouge when the stub sections are split.

An important object of my invention is to provide a tool that will quickly and efliciently remove the stub sections of tubing from the tube sheets.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tool of the above mentioned character that will split the sections of tubing and drive them from the tube sheet in one continuous operation.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a tube extractor that will not cut or otherwise damage the tube sheet during removal of the tube sections.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a tube extractor tool that is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,l

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tube extractor tool embodying my invention and showing the manner in which a, stub section of tubing is split longitudinally, parts of the tool being broken away and shown in section for clearness of illustration,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the tool showing the manner in which split sections of tubing are driven from the tube sheet, parts of the tool being broken away and shown inl section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View of a modied form of the invention, and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 6--6 of Fig, 5.

In brief,V the tool embodying my invention is formed at one end with an elongated cylindrical guide portion lwhich snugly lits within the tubeY section to be removed. The guide is inserted vin the tube section to properly center and locate cutting blades which project radially from the` body. At its other end the tool is adapted to conf 1 neet with a pneumatic hammer which is operated to drive the cutting blades through the tube and split it longitudinally. During the splitting operation the guide centers the tool and prevents the blades from cutting or otherwise 'damaging the tube sheet. After the section of tubing has been split it is easily collapsed and driven fromathe sheet by an annular shoulder formed on the 'tool'V dia-metric slot IIJa at substantially the middle'of v the body I0. The Widthof the blade lssubstantially equal to the outside diameter of the tubing II and its projecting ends-are formed with-cutting edges I3a which slice longitudinal strips from the tubing when the tool is driven therethrough*l Formed on the blade are rearwardly projecting arms I3b which embrace body I0 holding the blade properly centered in slot Illa and preventing the blade from shifting laterally within the slot and cutting into the tube sheet. Bolt I5 extending longitudinally through the forward end of the body presses against blade I3, and holds it securely within the slot. The tool, itself, is centered within the tubing during the cutting operation by a cylindrical guide I4 threaded on the forward end of body I0 and adapted to fit snugly but slidably within the tubing I I. As best shown in Fig. 3, guide I4 is formed at its inner end with a socket Illa which accommodates the project-v ing head portion of bolt I5.

As the tool is driven through tubing II, the cutting edges of blade I3 split the tube longitudinally. The narrow strips of metal IIa cut Y from the tubing are accommodated with cavities or recesses Illb formed in the body in advance of the cutting blade. As best shown in Fig. 3 the lower edges of the projecting cutters are arcuately curved, as at I3c, to direct strips I Ia into the recesses.

After the tube section has been longitudinally split it can -be easily collapsed and driven from tube sheet I2. This is done by a driving sleeve I6 removably mounted on body I0 behind blade 4 passed through the tube section it is collapsed by the driving sleeve I8 and driven from the tube the cuttingbladeso that-the cutting operation is completed v"before the sleeve engages thetubesec-E.

tion. The driving sleeve is removably lretained on the bodyby a detent I1 mounted in a socket Icformed in the body behind the sleeve. A spring I8 normally urges the detentli'nto' *aregisteringmw opening IBc in sleeve I 6,

The tool can be driven to remove vthe tube sec? modate a pneumatic .hammer.

The body III should `be of :lesser diameter than the smallest size tube -for which the tool is tobe from a tube sheet comprising a body adapted to used. However, cutting' blade I3, guide I4 and driving 'sleeve I6 must be accuratelydimensloned withrespect to the Yparticulartube to be removed,-

Guide .llemust snugly fit within the tube, section toi-properly center thetool andprevent thebladel I3 fromgcuttingfinto thetube sheet. Blader I3 must accuratelyilt the outsidefdiaineter of. the tube.. The strips cut from 'thetubetmust vbe subs; stantially. its -fullgthicknessgso thatit ycan be prop -Y erly collapsed and ,driven from the tube vsheet Ab y sleeve. I6...1 Obviously, sleeve V,I6 must accurately,

fit the tube if it istoeiliciently drivel it from 'the sheet. According- 151,1 havemade parts 14,. I3 and Iremcvable so that .elements can-#be attached.' to the body which properly fltthe particular tube.,

sectiontoberernovedn. l

Referring now to the form ci .the .invention illustrated in Figs. ,l5 and, .,I, have here vshown the Acutting blade I3 ,and retaining bolt, I .5 replaced `tion in any suitable manner; however, I prefer v that the end 10d ofthe body be shaped to accom` sheet.

It may thus be seen that I have achieved the objects of my invention. I have provided a tube extractor-that will rapidly and eiilcientlyremove tube s ect'iors` fromfa tube sheet in a single continuous operation and without cutting or otherwise damaging the tube sheet.

It is to be vunderstood that the forms of the invention'herewith shown and described are to be taken'as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing. fromgthe spirit of my invention or the scope of the appendedclaim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: A, tube extractor for removing tube sections pass throughthe tube to' be extracted| a cuttine blade of' a width equal to the outer Vdiameter of saidtubecarried by'said body and extending radially .therefrom whereby such tube is axially divided as said body is driven therethrough, an exthe usualjtubesheet, said shoulder being of a radial cutting: blades Y I 9a. f Asbest lshown in Fig.,

5 the blades graduallyincrease vinwidth toward the rearward or upper yend A.of thesleeve. The

sleeve IISisretainedbetween an annular shoulder I'eormedon Vthefpcidy. and the ladjacent end ci,

thin-strips --from the tubev section fa's the'e, tcol isf.

driven.' therethrough. After. the. blades have diameterto substantially fit said tube sheet so that saidshoulder will engage the forward endv of theftube operated upon after saidkblade has Passed 'through Such tube.

;Y Y FRANK M. PAXsoN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of vrecord in the le of this patent: 4

` UNITED VSTATES PATENTS Number `Name Date 1,370,837 Perkins et al. I Mar. 8, 1921 1,432,411)` Oakley Oct. 17, 1922 2,215,616 Lapointe et al Sept. 24, 1940 ...689,742 Newman Dec. 24, 1901 2,176,626 Gentry 1 Octl?, 1939 1,276,458A AWagner Aug. 20, 1918 1,471,062 vRiblett Oct. 16, 1923 

